FIM Supersport World Championship Race Results From Silverstone

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BOGDANKA PTR HONDA's Sam Lowes finished a close second in his home World Supersport race at Silverstone, only 0.157 of a second from the winner, to close to just 14 points behind the series lead.

The race, with all three Bogdanka riders on the front row, was red-flagged and restarted due to a slight drizzle on the opening laps with Mathew Scholtz lowsiding at Brooklands after being hit by another rider. The South African rookie was uninjured in the fall but had to take the restart from pit-lane with the mechanics working on his bike until the last moments, with Scholtz eventually finishing an impressive 11th.

Alexander Lundh finished his debut World Supersport race in the Bogdanka Honda PTR colours in 16th, just a tenth away from a point scoring position after starting from third on the grid. The race was won by PTR Honda's Jules Cluzel with round ten taking place in three weeks time in Moscow in Russia.

Sam Lowes: "The track wasn't in perfect conditions but it was dry and it was nice to have a dry conditions for my home race. I went to the front and tried to do the best job that I could. I knew Jules was behind but I just did my thing. He passed me on the last lap and beat me but second is good for the Championship and we know we did a decent job all weekend. Big thanks to my team for giving me a fantastic bike as always. I know they'll keep doing it for the rest of the year and I'm looking forward to the next round in Russia. I'm a racer and I always aim to win, so bring on Moscow."

Mathew Scholtz: "The first start was very bad for me. I lost a few positions and then got taken out from behind. The handlebar had been snapped and when I pulled in, it took some time to fix it, so I had to take the restart from the pit-lane. I had a good pace and was doing the same times as the top six. It was a bit unlucky to be taken out but I'm happy with scoring points and want to improve from that in the upcoming races."

Alexander Lundh: "The first start was very good for me and I felt really confident with the bike but then the race was red-flagged. The restart went very well too but I was pushed wide and lost about five positions in one corner. It was a hard fight and there was quite a lot of traffic but with a few laps to go, I got the feeling back and was actually 15th on the last lap but was pushed out wide and lost a position. I still need more laps in the dry after not riding a Supersport bike since October. I'm happy with the qualifying and a bit disappointed about the race but it was still a promising debut in the Bogdanka colours."

Simon Buckmaster, Bogdanka PTR Honda Team Manager: "Sam led for nearly all of the race and was understandably disappointed not to win; but the fact is he did a great job and second in the race closes him up to just 14-points behind in the Championship standings. His title challenge is building and we will be giving him every support possible next time out in Russia to win. Mathew was unlucky to be hit off and then be forced to start from pit lane. He came through the field well and scored decent points while setting impressive lap times. I've always said the potential is there and today we got a glimpse of it - there is more to come from him."

More, from a press release issued by PTR Honda:

Jules leads Sam to PTR 1-2 at Silverstone

PTR HONDA'S Jules Cluzel shadowed his Bogdanka PTR Honda team mate Sam Lowes for much of the ninth round of the World Supersport Championship at Silverstone in the UK before drafting him on the last lap and taking victory by the slimmest of margins.

Showing impressive form was PTR Honda's Ronan Quarmby who held third until the closing stages of the race before finishing a close fourth, just two-seconds behind the winner. Martin Jessopp on the Riders PTR Honda got a poor start from his best qualification of 16th and eventually finished 21st. The 10th round of the Championship is at the new Moscow venue in Russia on Sunday, August 26th. The PTR team will enjoy an official test at the circuit on 22nd August.

Jules: "That was a hard race but I had my race plan I wanted to do and I stuck to it. I drafted Sam on the last lap but then he came back at me on the final corner and we touched, it was very close. I am pleased to win and also very happy to enjoy racing here and the feeling I have with my PTR Honda. It is good for us in the Championship as well, I am happy to be third again and close in on the riders in front."

Ronan: "I really enjoyed that race and was right with Jules and Sam until I made a small mistake and Broc Parkes came past me. After that it was hard to get back with them but I am delighted with fourth and want to say thank you to the PTR Honda team for giving me such a good bike, it's been a very strong and positive weekend."

Martin: "I didn't make the best of starts and then struggled to ride the bike the way a Supersport machine needs to be ridden. I am still riding it like a Superbike and that doesn't work. I will take the positives in that my lap times at the end of the race were good and my qualifying position and wet set up are good as well."

Simon Buckmaster, PTR Honda Team Manager: "That was an incredible race between Jules and Sam on identical machinery and either of them could have won it. Jules got the benefit of a draft on the last lap and that is all that separated them in the end. Jules has shown his ability and intentions this weekend and is really enjoying his riding - it's been a great job by him. Ronan was impressive holding third and then finishing fourth. It's great to see him growing in confidence and delivering ever better results. Martin didn't get the result he wanted and is still adapting his style to the 600cc class - we will do all we can to help him for the final rounds of the season. A 1-2-4 result is the best ever for PTR - well done to everyone in the team for their commitment and efforts, they deserve enormous credit for this result."

More, from a press release issued by Power Team by Suriano:

A british round influenced by bad weather for Power Team by Suriano, that leaves Silverstone with a 8th place conquered by Alex Baldolini and a 13th place by Vittorio Iannuzzo. Two placings that, as seen the track's conditions, are not that bad and important for the ranking, that now shows Baldolini hitting the 8th place and Iannuzzo on the 9th. Baldolini was at his debut on this track and shown a really good ability to learn the track. Iannuzzo paid his 24th starting place due to two tough qualifying sessions with a really humid asphalt.

Vittorio Iannuzzo Triumph Daytona 675 #31 - "I did my best during this race. I went down on track with a bike set by the experience of Ninetto Suriano. After a few laps I had to start some took overs and I noticed i was keeping some really good timings. Eventhoug i finished 13th I had fun today,considering the very bad track's conditions."

Alex Baldolini Triumph Daytona 675 #25 - ""Eventhough the terrible conditions of the track, I was able to conquer a good starting position. Also because I didn't know the track. At the green light I immediately gained some places fighting, during the first half of the race, with other 5 riders. I eventually start a really exciting duel with Antonelli, that I've been able to took over on the chaquered flag."

Antonio "Ninetto" Suriano - team owner - "Seen the track conditions I just have to give an applause to my whole team. I wish from the next round on that we could go back to work on normal conditions so to set the race at its best since the beginning of the weekend on friday."